‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’: Get to Know Pinky Cole’s Husband & Their Family
The Real Housewives of Atlanta is headed back to Bravo for Season 17 with two new housewives holding peaches. Pinky Cole is stepping into the spotlight as one of the new Season 17 stars.
Viewers will get to know Pinky over the course of Season 17, but she’s already a notable figure in the Atlanta community as the owner of the Slutty Vegan, a popular vegan hamburger restaurant chain. As Pinky brings us into her world, we’ll get to meet her husband and kids. Swooon has done a deep dive into Pinky Cole’s family as she embraces the world of RHOA.
Who is Pinky Cole’s husband?
Pinky is married to Derrick Hayes, the founder and CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks. Derrick grew up in Philadelphia but now resides in Atlanta with Pinky and their family. He launched Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks in an abandoned gas station he bought, and his company has since grown into a multimillion-dollar chain.
He calls himself a “Father 1st, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist” in his Instagram bio. When Pinky was announced as a new RHOA cast member, Derrick showed his support by posting on Instagram, “Welp… now I’m married to a Real Housewife of Atlanta. I ain’t winning another argument ever again. Pray for me. @pinkycole congratulations.”
How did Pinky Cole and her husband meet?
A business meeting that led to everlasting love! Pinky and Derrick first met on June 8, 2020, at the Sunflower Cafe in Atlanta. “We talked about politics and connected as friends from there on,” Pinky told People. From there, their relationship evolved into a romance.
Because of their similar careers as entrepreneurs, Pinky and Derrick bonded quickly. “We’re in the same industry, so he understands when I’m talking ‘restaurant talk’ and he never gets bored. We can talk about it all day long because we’re a reflection of each other,” she told BET.
Monica Schipper / Getty Images
Derrick added, “I’m thankful for having somebody in my corner that understands what I want in my life and really wants to see me win—it’s not fake. There’s also no competition in our relationship. My wins are her wins and her wins are my wins.”
Two years after they first met, the couple got engaged. Derrick popped the question on stage during Essence Fest in July 2022.
When did Pinky Cole and her husband get married?
Pinky and Derrick got married in front of 300 guests on June 10, 2023, at the St. Regis in Atlanta. The bride wore a stunning mermaid-style wedding gown, while the groom rocked a custom mauve tuxedo.
“I love [Derrick’s] confidence and cockiness,” Pinky told People. “He has the biggest confidence in the room, and I thought it couldn’t get any bigger than me, but I’ve met my match. He’s very sure of himself and believes in himself even when others don’t.” Derrick called their wedding a “dream come true.”
Do Pinky Cole and her husband have kids?
Yes, Pinky and Derrick have three kids together. The couple announced the birth of their daughter, D Ella, in February 2022, but she was born earlier. Their son, Derrick Hayes Jr., was born in July 2022. In December 2023, six months after their June wedding, their third child together, David Asher Hayes, was born. Derrick also has two children, daughters, Denver and Dallas, from a previous relationship.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Season 17, Sundays, 8/7c, Bravo
